Tremolo device for viol machines



March 15 1927.

s. MILLS TREMOLO DEVICE FOR VIOL MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 52% XX "-jrzgvafia a, 1 7% Filed March 29, 1925 1,621 127 March 15 1927. H. s.MILLS TREMOLO DEVICE FOR VIOL MACHINES Filed March 29, 1925 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 15, 'i2*.2?.

TEEMQLG FOR V2011 MACHINES.

Au lication filed This invention relates particularly to improvements intremolo dev ces for use in connection with stringed nenis of the violclass, such as machines of the character described in Sandell YB-atentNo. 855,021, of May 28, 1907.

The primary object is to provide an improved and simplified mechanismemploying pulsating means for vibrating the tensioning levers attachedto the strings of a violin, for example The invention is illustrated inits preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 represents a broken vertical elevational view, partly insection, and pumping mechanism employed for delivering air pulsations;and

Fig. 2, a broken elevational view illustrating pulsating devicescomplementa-l to the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and serving to impartvibrations to the tensioning levers illustrated.

In the construction illustrated, A designates the neck-portion of a.musical instrument of the viol class which is provided with strings 1.The fr nt end-portions of the strings 1 are connected with tensioninglevers 2, 3, a and 5 which are pivotally supported at the point 6. Thefront end-portions of the strings 1 pass about grooved segments 7 withwhich the levers are provided and the strings are secured by tighteningmeans 8 mounted on the levers. Each lever may be equipped with av weight9 (one shown) for the normal tensioning of the lever. Any other desiredtensioning means, as for example spring tensioning means, may beemployed.

F or tremolo purposes, the tensioning levers are adapted to be vibratedabout the pivot point 6 by means of pistons 2 3 4. and 5 which arejoined to the outer ends of the levers by suitable connecting rods, thepistons working freely in cylinders 2 3", 41 and 5 which preferably arepneumatic cylinders. The cylinders are shown mounted on a base 10. iheyare served by tubes 2, 3, P, and 5 regulated by valves 2 3, P, and 5 Thevalves may be mounted in a common valve casing 11 interposed in thecourse of the tubes.

The tubes mentioned lead from the upper and lower ends of the cylindersof double Serial No. 98,219.

acting pumps. The Jump device, shown in 1, is designated It comprises apair of fixedly mounted cylinders 12 and 18, which are equipped withpistons lt (one shown). It is not necessary that the pistons lit veryclosely within the cylinders. In fact, some advantage may be gained byusing a loose fit.

The pumps are actuated by means of an electrical motor B whose shaft 15projects at both ends of the motor. The shaft is equipped at one endwith a worm 16 which drives a worm-gear 17. At the other end, the shaftis equipped with aworm 18 which drives a worm-gear 19. The shafts of theworm ears are equipped with cranks 20 which are connected by rods 21with the piston rods 22.

The gear ratios at the two ends of the motor are shown as difierent fromeach other. That is, the Worm-gear 17 is smaller han the worm-gear 19,and thus the right hand pump which serves the pulsating devicesconnected with the higher toned strings, that is, the A and E strings,reciprocates more rapidly than does the left hand pump which serves thelower toned strings, that is, the D and G strings.

Current passes to the motor through acable 23 which is served through aswitch 2% from a rheostat 25. Thus, the speed of the motor may beregulated. Switch 24 may be located at any desired point. It may, forxample, be located on a console fitted Wlill a key manual which servesto control the electrical circuits which operate the fingering devicesand bow-depressing devices of the machine.

The operation will be readily understood rom the description given. Themotor B actuated at the desired speed and opertes the pump mechanism Bwhich serves o deliver air to, or cause air pulsations in, he cylinders2 5'. Thus, the pistons --5 will be actuated. The delivery of air ray beregulated by the valves 2 -5, and tune the amplitude of movement of thepistons 25 may be regulated as desired. Ordinarily, these pistons do nothave the same amplitude of movement. That is, the movement is regulatedto suit the requirements, it being noted that the heavier stringsrequire greater variation in the tensioning than do the lighter stringsin order to get the best tremolo efiect. The improved mechanism isadapted to accomplish the purpose in a simple and effective manner.

Any suitable method of controlling the motor switch may be employed.

The present invention is in the nature of an improvement upon, orspecies of, the invention described in Herbert S. Mills U. S.application Ser. No. 7 03,17 6, filed March 31, 1924.

The foregoing detailed description has Y been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be consideredtherefrom, but the appendet claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with tensioning levers of the strings of a musicalinstrument of the viol class, a pneumatic pulsating device connectedwith each lever, conduits serving said pulsating devices. valvescontrolling said conduits, and pumping mechanism connected with saidconduits.

2. In combination with tensioning levers of the strings of a musicalinstrument of the viol class, pneumatic pulsating device con nected Witheach lever, conduits serving said pulsating devices, valves controllingsaid conduits, pumping mechanism connected with said conduits, anelectric motor for actuating said pumping mechanism, and means forvarying the speed of said motor.

3. In combination with the tensioning levers of a musical instrument ofthe viol class, a series of pistons connected with said levers,cylinders telescopically receiving said pistons, conduits serving saidcylinder-s, valves controlling said conduits, a pair of double actingpumps serving said conduits, and an electric motor provided with a shafthaving its opposite ends equipped with gear mechanism connected with thepistons of said pumps.

4. In combination with the tensioning levers of a musical instrument ofthe viol class, a series of pistons connected with said levers,cylinders telescopically receiving said pistons, conduits serving saidcylinders, valves cont-rolling said conduits, a pair of double actingpumps serving said conduits, and an electric motor provided with a shafthaving its opposite ends equipped with gear mechanism connected with thepistons of said pumps, the gear ratios at opposite ends of said shaftbeing diflerent.

HERBERT S. MILLS.

